The Faith of a Thomasine Believer

[Laurasia]

For those of you who do not know the term a "Thomasine believer" is a Christian who adheres to the writings in the Gospel of Thomas, one of the Gnostic Gospels that was discovered at Nag Hammadi. The central message of the Gospel of Thomas is that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us & around us in the present. The followers focus is to become the "twin of Jesus" (who is not portrayed as the "Son of God", but who is a messenger). Meaning to gain the same consciousness & understanding of Jesus himself. It is a path of searching & discovering, and the vast majority of that searching is within oneself.

"I beleive in one God, a divine mystery
beyond all definition& rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, & that ever will exist.

I believe in Jesus, messenger of God's Word,
bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion,
bright star in the firmament of God's
prophets, mystics, & saints.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the life of God that is our innermost life,
the breathe of God moving in our being,
the depth of God living in each of us.

I believe that I am called to be Jesus's twin,
allowing myself to be a vehicle of God's love,
a source of God's wisdom & truth,
and an instrument of God's peace in the world.

I beleive that God's reign is here & now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.

I believe in the community of God seekers
in all the religions, as well as outside of them,
the great prophets, mystics, & saints,
and those just beginning their spiritual journey.

I believe in a future on this earth when all
will be God-centered & God-conscious,
when we will learn to live in love & peace,
in the fellowship of brothers & sisters.

I believe that in death, life is changed,
not taken away, & that we will go
from step tp step in God's life, God's love,
& God's glory for all eternity. Amen."

The above was taken from the book "the Gospel of Thomas: A Guidebook For Spiritual Practice" by Ron Miller.

Sincerely,
Laurasia

[hadassah]

Wow this is the cry of my heart to be a twin of Jesus in his character and love and even though I try I still fail at this. I used to talk about being Jesus possessed. To be so possessed with Jesus that He speaks though me.

But even though I try to be Jesus I still mis up and upset people without meaning too. So many people mis understand me.

[hadassah]

This is true Christianity to be like Jesus and to love like him. What hurts is so many Christians have failed in this area and this was his prayer that they would be like Him. This is the only prayer that only Christians can answer instead of God. Jesus is still waiting for this unanswered prayer to be answered by his people. And actually the Bible says that if a Christian does not love they are not a Christian.

[hadassah]

REACHING IN HIS LOVE!


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"They are the true disciples of Christ, not who know most,
but who love most".

What
is the greatest quality in the world? The Bible says it is divine love! The
greatest thing in the world is loving God and loving people. What is Love? How
can we define it? Love is being filled with God. It is reflecting Jesus Christ
in everything. Jesus said - 'Love one another'. These words were spoken two
thousand years ago. Powerful though this command is, many of us have succeeded
in ignoring it. We all give lip service to it but do not practice it.

Paul said, "Love is the greatest". Paul was not
the only one to regard divine love as supreme. Peter too rated Love as the most
important -'Above all, keep fervent in your hearts, love for one another' (1
Pet 4.8) John 13 is also a love chapter. Jesus said "By this shall all
men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another". The
world will not recognize that we are Christ's disciples by our elaborate
programs, extravagant facilities elegant music or eloquent preaching. Our
distinguishing mark is not a shepherd’s staff or an ox's yoke. It is not even
the cross or the crown. The new mark of a disciple is divine love.

Bible
shows us that once we are invaded by His love, then our next task is to allow
that love to flow out to others in ways that demonstrate a practical and
sacrificial concern. How do we do it? By showing people we love them.

Dearly
beloved, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Oh! What an effect when you put your arms around someone and tell them you
care, you're there... that's all what was needed. This divine, heavenly love
draws them to the Lord.


Dearly
beloved, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
Oh! What an effect when you put your arms around someone and tell them you
care, you're there... that's all what was needed. This divine, heavenly love
draws them to the Lord.


Not to walk in love and yield to the lordship of love, means, God cannot manifest
Himself through us. When you recognize the lordship of love, it takes in all
that you are, all that you are able to do and all that you are able to be. It
takes in your ability plus God's ability.


If you give God within you liberty, let Him loose in you His love and reign in
you. So let us please the Lord by being rooted and grounded in His love and
love one another as He loved us.

Article written by Lyn McSweeney